Steelers “tracking” cornerbacks heading into the draft

The Steelers came into the offseason with three free agent cornerbacks and they’ve re-signed William Gay while Antwon Blake departed for the Titans.

Brandon Boykin remains unsigned, but it sounds like the Steelers are looking at the draft as a place to round out their cornerback ranks. General Manager Kevin Colbert said Sunday that the team has “been tracking” cornerback prospects as they attend pro days around the country ahead of the draft.

“We can’t say we’ll take a cornerback first, second or third,” Colbert said, via the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “But there are enough that we should be able to get one.”

The Steelers also have veteran Cortez Allen under contract at $4.4 million with a $5.25 million cap hit after a year that saw him play one game because of a knee injury. Allen was healthier in 2015, although he didn’t play very well and that added reason to think he might be a cap casualty. Colbert said Sunday that Allen is “still part of the plan” as the team sets up their secondary for 2016.

Well that’s good news. I love the draft, it’s like Christmas in April! I’m not sure if I want two safeties and one cornerback or the other way around. If the Steelers defense is going to improve though, they’ve got to improve in the secondary and they need at least that much help.

We already have Jason Verrett, Brandon Flowers and Casey Hayward so we are overstocked.

Give us your #1, #2 and #1 in 2017. Done and done.

6ball says:Mar 20, 2016 5:49 PM

.
Most of the experts have 4-5 CBs with a first round grade. The Steelers should be able to grab a highly rated CB at 25. It seems certain the Steelers will focus on the secondary as it’s their only area of real need.
.

maybe they finally realized that that fraud Tomlin isn’t capable of developing late round talent so you have to give him a number 1. For a supposed defensive back minded coach he sure has a terrible record including the league’s worst pass defense when he was a defensive coordinator for Vikings year before he was hired strictly due to Rooney Rule.

tedmurph says:Mar 20, 2016 7:56 PM

Senquez Golson would be like an extra draft pick if he can come through, but the steelers have not drafted an outstanding player on defense since 2007. Best one may be CHayward, who’s good, but not very good, or great. Shazier flashes, but because he’s undersized, he can’t stay on the field. Their D is just not gonna be good enough, in a wide open AFC, again. It’s the Pats, then the also rans. Bad offseason for the steelers and the Broncos.

Spoken ignorantly. You’ve got (perhaps) a couple of solid points, but you lost me at Cam Heyward isn’t very good, or great…
The man is nothing short of “very good”, and I’d say his ceiling is HOF. He’s not, by any stretch of anyone’s imagination just an ordinary player. Watch a game some time- any game.

megabeast37215 says:Mar 20, 2016 10:22 PM

@Boondockslrssaint: I watched every game last year and I certainly don’t agree with your assessment. I understand his role in the 3-4 doesn’t allow for things like 16 sacks seasons and what not.. but HOF career? That’s really pushing it. He’s certainly one of the best 3-4 ends in the league though.

Stiller43 says:Mar 20, 2016 10:26 PM

“jrob23
Mar 20, 2016, 7:39 PM EDT
maybe they finally realized that that fraud Tomlin isn’t capable of developing late round talent so you have to give him a number 1. For a supposed defensive back minded coach he sure has a terrible record including the league’s worst pass defense when he was a defensive coordinator for Vikings year before he was hired strictly due to Rooney Rule.”
————

Umm ever hear of Antonio Brown? Considered one of, if not, the best WR in the NFL? Yeah, 6th round pick.

Tomlins been to 2 superbowls, never has had a losing season (9 years AT LEAST 8-8), and has made the playoffs what, 7 out of 9 years?

Not bad for a coach only hired because of a rule (when they had some damn good in house candidates).

@Stiller43: That has a lot more to do with having a top notch, true franchise quarterback.. and a lot less to do with Mike Tomlin. Take Ben away from Tomlin.. and see if he retains the record.

“It’s about Jimmys and Joes, not X’s and O’s.” -Some old timer.

tedmurph says:Mar 21, 2016 5:27 AM

Heyward’s ceiling is HOF? He’s been in the league 5 yrs and never even made the Pro Bowl. Even after the SBowl players and the guys that just don’t want to go. steeler fans are a joke.

kjoseph2009 says:Mar 21, 2016 8:44 AM

Tomlin was a WR in college, he leans towards OFFENSE, i.e. levon bell, Big Ben, A. Brown, R. Mendenhall, DeAngelo Williams, M. Wheaton, Ladarius Green.
He struggles on defensive football, that is why he built a “we need to score more then them attitude”.
But, yea – they need a couple of good corners to be a top tier team!

kjoseph2009 says:Mar 21, 2016 8:51 AM

Tomlin was a college WR. HE is offensively minded.
He wants to out score his opponents.
Yeah they need 2 good corners, now! Or it’s the Pats again for the next 3 years…

The steelers need to consider Patrick Robinson free agent CB from San Diego. Who has played in a 3-4 defense,then sign Brandon Boykin with Gay form a pretty good cornerback corp. Cortes Allen has never measured up so please release him. First two picks should be a much need strong safety and a nose tackle that demands a doubleteam like Casey Hampton. The Steelers are always just a few players away but shop at the dollar tree for those players